Fury sign Scot as team’s new coach
Jeff Hunt wasn’t kidding.
Pressed about when Ottawa Fury FC would be announcing a new head coach (at the team’s season ending banquet Tuesday night) the president of OSEG used the word: “soon.”
Two-and-a-half days later? Meet the new boss.
Scotland’s Paul Dalglish takes over from the departing Marc Dos Santos.
It promises to be a hefty challenge.
Dos Santos exits as North American Soccer League coach of the year after masterminding a second-year expansion club to within a couple of goals of the NASL championship.
“Keep the train going,” said Dalglish, who was quick with the banter with the media. “What they achieved in two years is remarkable.”
Important to note that this could be a dramatically different roster come the opening of the Spring Season in 2016.
The rumour mill has been busy — and this has a lot to do with the outgoing Dos Santos, who leaves as not only a tremendous tactician, but carries a reputation as a savvy recruiter to boot.
Yes, captain Richie Ryan will be back — although he is due for a big raise.
Keeper Romuald Peiser will also return, after signing a two-year deal earlier this week.
Standout defender Colin Falvey is also scheduled to return, among the starters.
But this is where things get fuzzy.
Reports out of Florida Friday indicate top striker Tommy Heinemann has signed a lucrative deal with the Tampa Bay Rowdies — rumoured to be $150,000 per season. Heinemann was the toast of the town in the playoffs — scoring twice in the final against New York.
He led the Fury in goals during the season with 12.
Sources claim Ryan Richter could also be on the move. The talented defender has an offer and will know Saturday whether it sticks.
Rafael Alves’ future is up in the air as is forward Andrew Wiedeman’s.
“Obviously we’ve spent some time looking at those contracts,” said team president John Pugh. “We’ve delayed a bit because we wanted to get Paul’s input. He’s been here only 24 hours. I wasn’t joking when I said a lot of those hours were spent making recommendations on those players. He’s got a vast recruiting network of his own and he’s had an opportunity to tap into that . . . players that we might want to consider.”
Seemingly, Dalglish is ready for the challenge. He certainly talks a very good game.
“It’s not important what you think of me today, it’s important what you think of me when I leave.”
The 38-year-old is the son of legendary Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish. He also has ties with Fury keeper coach Bruce Grobbelaar — a Liverpool legend himself.
“Bruce was my babysitter,” piped in Dalglish to a big laugh. “He was a teammate of my dad.”
The futures of assistant coaches Martin Nash and Philip Dos Santos seem to be secure with Ottawa.
“I hope so,” said Dalglish when asked if the two would remain with the club. “Philip and Martin have done a remarkable job, with Marc.”
Asked about replacing a media darling like Dos Santos, Dalglish cracked: “It’s easy to fill Marc’s shoes cause I’ve got bigger feet.”